Plan for 2015-16 Ministry of Labour Relations and

Ministry of Labour Relations
and Workplace Safety
Plan for 2015-16
saskatchewan.ca
Statement from the Minister
I am pleased to present the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety’s Plan for 2015-16.
This document outlines how our Ministry’s actions support Government’s overall direction and
Budget for 2015-16.
The Honourable
Don Morgan, Q.C.
Government’s Direction and Budget for 2015-16 is focused on Keeping Saskatchewan Strong,
balancing building for the future with fiscal responsibility. The initiatives outlined in this Plan
speak to this year’s budget theme. My Ministry will work to invest in the citizens of Saskatchewan
by fostering a competitive and productive labour environment; encouraging healthy, safe, and fair
workplaces; ensuring that our labour policies are up-to-date and competitive; and, by managing
our programs and services efficiently and effectively to ensure the best use of public funds.
Minister of Labour Relations and The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety successfully carries out its mandate
Workplace Safety
in the delivery of services to workers, their representatives and employers, thereby ensuring
Saskatchewan workplaces are safe, productive and fair.
The Ministry will report on progress made toward this Plan, within the financial parameters
provided in the 2015-16 Annual Report.
Plan 2015-16
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Response to
Government Direction
The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to Keeping Saskatchewan Strong. The province faces challenges due to volatile
resource revenue; however, Saskatchewan’s economy is diverse and resilient. There are strengths in many sectors from agriculture
and manufacturing to resources such as potash and uranium.
With controlled spending and continued support for the conditions necessary for economic growth, the Government will meet
the needs of our growing province. Investments in people and infrastructure continue to support Government’s commitment to
establishing Saskatchewan as the best place to live, to work, to start a business, to get an education, to raise a family and to build a
life.
Saskatchewan’s Vision
“… to be the best place in Canada – to live, to work, to start a business, to get an education, to raise a family and to build a life.”
Sustaining growth and
opportunities for Saskatchewan
people
Securing a better quality
of life for all
Saskatchewan people
Meeting the challenges
of growth
Delivering responsive
and responsible
government
Government’s vision and four goals provide the framework for ministries, agencies and third parties to align their programs and
services and meet the needs of Saskatchewan’s citizens.
All ministries and agencies will report on progress in their 2015-16 annual reports.
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Plan 2015-16
Operational Plan
Mandate Statement
The Ministry provides a range of services that encourage, promote and enforce safe work practices and employment standards
which foster a fair and balanced employment environment that respects the rights, duties and responsibilities of employees and
employers thereby ensuring healthy, safe and productive workplaces.
Government Goals
Sustaining growth and
opportunities for Saskatchewan
people
Securing a better quality
of life for all
Saskatchewan people
Meeting the challenges
of growth
Delivering responsive
and responsible
government
Strategic priority from the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth: encourage healthy, safe and fair workplaces
Ministry Goal
Reduce provincial injury rate by 50% by 2020.
Strategies
Full implementation of new targeted intervention model to reduce workplace injuries.
Continue the Worksafe Saskatchewan partnership to ensure a focus on injury rate reduction.
Key Actions
ÖÖ Target priority employers who have the highest injury rates.
ÖÖ Increase education and enforcement of standards.
ÖÖ Review and report on WorkSafe Saskatchewan provincial injury reduction strategy.
ÖÖ Implement a new searchable Asbestos Registry.
ÖÖ Update and modernize occupational health and safety mines regulations and policies to reflect leading practices.
ÖÖ Support the Workers’ Compensation Act Committee of Review activities related to a review of the workers’ compensation
system in Saskatchewan.
Performance Measure
Total Injury Rate
By March 31, 2016, continue the downward trend in the provincial injury rate.
Plan 2015-16
3
Ministry Goal
Increase compliance with employment standards.
Strategy
Increase awareness of rights and responsibilities.
Key Actions
ÖÖ Undertake an evaluation of the sectors where there is a lack of compliance with existing standards and identify reasons for
the lack of compliance.
ÖÖ Develop education and enforcement tools to increase awareness of rights and responsibilities of employment standards.
ÖÖ Focus on youth awareness. Revise the Young Worker Readiness Certificate Course to reflect the provisions of The
Saskatchewan Employment Act.
Performance Measure
Education
By March 31, 2016, implement the revised Young Worker Readiness Certificate Course.
Sustaining growth and
opportunities for Saskatchewan
people
Securing a better quality
of life for all
Saskatchewan people
Meeting the challenges
of growth
Delivering responsive
and responsible
government
Strategic priority from the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth: fair and balanced labour environment while sustaining Saskatchewan’s
economic growth
Ministry Goal
Maintain Saskatchewan’s productive and competitive economy.
Ministry Strategy
Promote the use of best practices in the areas of occupational health and safety, labour relations, employment standards and
workers’ advocacy.
Key Actions
ÖÖ Support employers, workers, organized labour and special interest groups through the provision of education and
awareness activities to ensure compliance with The Saskatchewan Employment Act and associated regulations.
ÖÖ Continue to work cooperatively with jurisdictional counterparts in analyzing and implementing leading practices.
ÖÖ Continue to evaluate programs and services to ensure leading practices are used in the effective delivery of services to
clients.
ÖÖ Ensure marginalized workers and their families receive adequate service.
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Plan 2015-16
Ministry Strategy
Maintain modern and competitive legislation and regulation.
Key Actions
ÖÖ Harmonize the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System under The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations,
1996.
ÖÖ Evaluate and revise occupational health and safety regulations and policies in conjunction with the other western provinces.
ÖÖ Support the Workers’ Compensation Act Committee of Review in its review of The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013, the
associated regulations and the policies of the Workers’ Compensation Board.
Performance Measures
Compliance
By March 31, 2016, increase voluntary compliance with employment standards.
Legislative/Regulatory Reviews
By March 31, 2016:
ÖÖ Enact new regulations governing:
ªª workplace hazardous materials; and
ªª mine safety.
ÖÖ Effectively support the Workers’ Compensation Act Committee of Review in its review of The Workers’ Compensation
Act, 2013.
Plan 2015-16
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Highlights
The Government maintains its desire to support all workers and employers in the achievement of Mission Zero; zero injuries and zero
deaths resulting from work; and will continue to make occupational health and safety a priority.
In 2015-16, the Ministry will:
ÖÖ Continue to make occupational health and safety inspections, investigations and education a priority toward achieving zero
workplace injuries and deaths;
ÖÖ Continue to investigate employment standards complaints;
ÖÖ Continue to educate employers, employees and youth on their rights and responsibilities under The Saskatchewan Employment
Act;
ÖÖ Continue to assist workers who have filed a workers’ compensation claim and who wish to explore an appeal of a decision on
that claim;
ÖÖ Continue to provide conciliation and mediation services to assist collective bargaining where required;
ÖÖ Enact new regulations respecting workplace hazardous materials;
ÖÖ Enact new regulations respecting mine safety;
ÖÖ Undertake a review of The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013, the associated regulations and policies; and
ÖÖ Allocate $85,000 in additional resources to improve the mandatory asbestos registry for public buildings, which is a first of its
kind in Canada.
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Plan 2015-16
Financial Summary
2015-16 Estimates
(in thousands of dollars)
Central Management and Services
$4,571
Employment Standards
$2,809
Occupational Health and Safety
$8,250
Labour Relations and Mediation
$802
Office of the Workers’ Advocate
$840
Labour Relations Board
$1,081
Ministry Operations Appropriation
$18,353
Capital Acquisitions
-
Non-Appropriated Expense Adjustment
$122
Total Expense
$18,475
FTE Staff Compliment
152.1
For more information, see the Budget Estimates at: http://www.saskatchewan.ca/budget
Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Appropriation by Subvote
Labour Relations
Board
$1,081K
Office of the Workers'
Advocate $840K
Labour Relations
and Mediation
$802K
Central Management
and Services $4,571K
Occupational Health
and Safety $8,250K
Employment Standards
$2,809K
For More Information
Please visit the Ministry’s website at http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/government-structure/ministries/labour-relationsand-workplace-safety
Plan 2015-16
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